Effect of Dermatophytes on Neutrophils and Monocytes Chemotaxis

Chemotaxis is a reaction by which the direction of locomotion of cells is determined. It is a directed cellular migration along a concentration gradient of chemo attractant. If the cells are moving towards higher concentration of the attractant, chemotaxis is said to be positive. Chemotaxis in leukocytes is in contrast to bacteria which also exhibit negative chemotaxis [1]. Likewise Fungi seems to behave like bacteria. PMNs and macrophages are the principal phagocytic cells involved in the ingestion and destruction of fungal pathogens. PMNs have potent fungicidal mechanisms and migrate through endothelial cell junctions to enter sites of inflammation in tissues. Dermatophytosis is caused by pathogenic fungi that have a preference for keratin-containing tissues, such as epidermis, nails and hair. A logical classification of dermatophytosis is based on the site of infection, e.g. tinea corporis (skin), tinea capitis (scalp) and onychomycosis (nails). Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton species are the most common fungal causes of dermatophytosis [2-4]. In spite of the superficial nature of dermatophyte infections, haematogenous spread of the fungus or its antigens may occur that sensitizes the immunocompetent host and induce an immune response [5]. Dermatophytes produce skin alterations in humans and other animals, and the essential role of the CMI response is to destroy the fungi and produce an immunoprotective status against re-infection. The resolution of the disease is associated with a delayed hypersensitive response [6]. This work aimed at identification of the fungal agents from patients suffering from dermatophytosis, and detection of the effect of the isolated dermatophytes on PMNs and monocytes chemotaxis from healthy donors. Volume 3 Issue 3 2016